Asphaltenes: Separations, structural analysis and applications

Publication date: Available online 21 October 2018Source: Journal of Energy ChemistryAuthor(s): Pingping Zuo, Shijie Qu, Wenzhong ShenAbstractAsphaltenes, complex aromatic compounds from various carbonaceous sources, could be obtained by solvent dissolution, filtration and adsorption. It was difficult to clarify the molecular structures and chemical properties of asphaltene due to its structural similarity, composition complexity and source dependences. Many techniques, like Mass spectrometry, Chromatography, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, Roman spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Small-angle scattering techniques and so on, have revealed some valuable descriptions of asphaltenes chemical compositions and fundamental structures. Moreover, advanced Mass spectrometry, Atomic force microscopy and Scanning tunneling microscopy could provide more clear and essential molecular compounds and structures in asphaltenes. In addition, several asphaltenes models have succeeded to illustrate aggregation properties asphaltene. In this work, the progress on asphaltene separation, characterization and application was summarized, and the similarities and differences between coal-derived asphaltenes and petroleum asphaltenes were compared. Furthermore, the reactivity of asphaltenes has been discussed in the aspect of hydroprocessing, pyrolysis and gasification. Asphaltene was excellent carbon precursor for functional carbon m...
Source: Journal of Energy Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research